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HRP Officer Actions Appropriate in McCully St. Crash

May

24

The province's independent Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) today released its report regarding a motor vehicle crash that occurred at the intersection of McCully and Agricola streets in Halifax on January 6, 2017.

Shortly after 3:30 a.m. a Halifax Regional Police (HRP) officer was parked in the O’Regan’s Chevrolet parking lot on Robie St. The Officer gave a statement to SiRT and explained that he observed a small black car driving north on Robie in excess of the speed limit. He pulled behind the car, caught up to it, and activated his emergency equipment to conduct a traffic stop. The car turned right onto North St. and appeared to be pulling over. However, it instead turned left onto Agricola and again appeared to be pulling over. Suddenly, it accelerated and drove into a power pole at the intersection with McCully.

The driver attempted to flee but was arrested a short distance away. He currently faces various charges, including impaired driving causing bodily harm. A male passenger in the car did not suffer serious injuries, however a female passenger in the backseat suffered two broken legs, a fractured wrist, and a concussion.

Evidence gathered in the investigation, including GPS from the police vehicle, radio transmissions, and a statement from the male passenger, confirm the Officer’s statement. His actions throughout were entirely appropriate. The crash was due solely to the actions of the driver of the small car.

In these circumstances, there are no grounds to consider any charges against the police officer.

SIRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia. Investigations are under the direction and control of independent civilian director Ron MacDonald, who is solely responsible for decisions respecting the laying of any charge.